Hoover High School celebrates Sudanese refugee and hijabi homecoming queen

Why it matters: Adam was named her year's homecoming queen in September — a major moment for the Sudanese refugee who moved to Des Moines just four years ago and a moment she hopes inspires other girls who wear a hijab.

How it started: It wasn't long ago that Adam was the new girl trying to find her place.

• Her family, who lived in Sudan, fled conflict and moved to Turkey, where she and her three siblings were born. Adam and her family settled in Des Moines in 2021, and she started attending Meredith Middle School in sixth grade.
• In Des Moines, her family received help from other Sudanese people and from Des Moines Refugee Support, which helped her brother join soccer and gave her family furniture.

Zoom in: Adam was worried about what others would think about her appearance because of her hijab.

• "I felt kind of out of place because I didn't see many hijabi girls in my classes," Adam says.
• She had a teacher at Meredith, however, who introduced her to other kids and helped her understand her assignments.

• She also joined Sisters 4 Success, a student group for girls of color that introduces them to upperclassmen and peers who check in on each other.

The intrigue: Now, Adam helps the other kids at her apartment complex and connects them with Des Moines Refugee Support, says Alison Hoeman, director of the nonprofit organization.

• "She is the sweetest girl," Hoeman says.

What's next: Adam isn't sure yet what she wants to do after she graduates, but she's considering law school, she says.